Opportunity abounds for 4-H scholarship winner

Headingley

La Salle

A young La Salle woman is among the winners of a 4-H leadership scholarship this year.

Brooklyn Piasta, a 20-year-old agri-business student at the University of Manitoba, was recently named one of four 2025 Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship winners presented by 4-H Manitoba. Her $10,000 scholarship, presented by Headingley’s 4-H club in honour of Estelle Bahuaud, is one of four awarded to long-serving club leaders in the province this year.

“We’re very proud of this year’s scholarship recipients and excited to see where their paths take them,” said Greg Penner, president of 4-H Manitoba, in a statement. “Each of them has shown real leadership, dedication, and a commitment to their communities. Supporting them as they take the next step in their education helps build a strong future for Manitoba.”

“This scholarship was definitely the biggest I ever received. It’s been extremely helpful with my expenses,” Piasta said. “It has really helped me not be so stressed (about) getting part-time jobs so I can focus more time on studies and being involved with 4-H in my community.”

A lifelong La Salle resident, Piasta and her sister both got involved with 4-H as youngsters. Their parents were also involved in their youth.

“Through all my years in 4-H I’ve done a lot. There’s a lot the program offers,” Piasta said. “4-H offers a lot of opportunities to grow your personal skills and stay involved in your home community. We had annual public speaking competitions, so participating in that was always a highlight of the year. Getting to know people across Manitoba and Canada is really nice, especially now that I’m at the university.”

Throughout her years in 4-H, Piasta has had the opportunity to take part in programs within Manitoba, across Canada, and internationally.

“I went on club-to-club exchanges both to Alberta and Nova Scotia, and last year I got to travel to Japan and spend two weeks in and around Tokyo,” she said.

While there seems to be no end to recreational activities for kids, Piasta is quick to highlight the opportunities 4-H offers, especially for those who may one day work in agriculture or adjacent industries.

“I would recommend 4-H to any youth,” she said. “It provides so many amazing opportunities to grow your personal skills and what’s out there in the world. 4-H Manitoba offers the AgriCareer Quest to learn about careers in agriculture or similar industries. The travel opportunities are great ways to get to know people and network before going into higher education.”